When we receive Christ, although we are dead in our sins at the time, God makes us part of Christ's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Now we are located in Christ in God at the highest level of the ruling city, the heavenly Jerusalem.

We have done nothing to acquire such an exalted station, the position in Christ given us from the creation of the world.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

Called, justified, and glorified—all in the past tense!

We can go no higher. We are at the highest place we ever shall attain. We have the greatest authority we ever shall possess. We are as close to God as it is possible to be.

God has brought us on eagles' wings to Himself.

God did not bring us to Canaan, or to Heaven, but to Himself.

There has been, to this point, no pilgrimage, no discipleship, no patience in prayer, no overcoming of obstacles, no service, no works of any kind. While we were yet dead in sins God, according to His own sovereign plan, reached down, made us alive, and then raised us to His own right hand in Christ.

The wilderness.

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. (Exodus 19:4)

God brought the Jews out of Egypt and carried them to Himself on eagles' wings. In actual fact the Jews, from their standpoint, did not come out of Egypt quite that easily.

One can imagine the chaos and panic of the first Passover night—the grumbling, the fear, the anxiety, the children crying, the screams from the homes of the Egyptians.

At midnight the multitude left Egypt on foot carrying their unleavened bread, leading their herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. It was an exciting adventure for the young but a nightmare of responsibility and dread for the heads of families.

In the eyes of the Israelites the exodus was a desperate, dangerous flight from a cruel government. It was not long before the Hebrews were parched with thirst and complaining against Moses and Aaron.

From God's standpoint it was eagles' wings. From the Jew's standpoint it was an uncomfortable start on a rugged trip to an unknown destination.

So it is with us. The Lord bears us up to His own right hand and welcomes us as His sons and saints. He does this before we have had any "wilderness" experiences.

We refer to the sovereign action of God in raising us up as grace. It indeed is Divine grace. But there is infinitely more to Divine grace under the new covenant than the forgiveness of sins and spiritual participation in Christ's resurrection and ascension.

There is an Alpha of redemption. But there also is an Omega, a finish, an ending in which God's goals for us are realized.

To be continued.